King George and Queen Charlotte Possibly 1792

Curator: This engraving is by James Barry and it's called "King George and Queen Charlotte." Editor: My first thought is that it feels like looking into separate but related worlds. I'm drawn to the dogs at the bottom—they seem very grounded, solid. Curator: Yes, and given the time it was made, it's important to acknowledge the social stratification implicit in depictions of royalty and domestic life. Barry seeks to portray them as benevolent and enlightened rulers. Editor: I suppose. But the overall feeling is a bit cold, don't you think? All that neoclassical grandeur... It lacks a certain warmth. Curator: That's a fair reading. Considering Barry's radical politics, there may be a subtle critique embedded within this seemingly celebratory image. It's a complex statement. Editor: I see that now. It makes you wonder what Barry really thought, behind all that etching. Intriguing.